Africa News

The Red Cross Reports Hundreds Injured in Ethiopia-Tigray Conflict

Casualties of War

Following the escalation of the conflict between the Ethiopian federal government and Tigray in the north of the country, whose authorities fired rocket missiles at two airports in the neighbouring Amhara region late Friday and at least three more at Eritrea’s capital city Asmara, on Saturday, in what it deems as self-defence in light of a federal military operation launched on its territory in the north of the country.

 

Following the escalation of the conflict between the Ethiopian government and Tigray — who fired rockets at both the Amhara region and Eritrea’s capital Asmara last week, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) shared reports on Wednesday from the ground in Ethiopia.

Patrick Youssef, the ICRC Africa Regional Director, outlined the current situation, “Another hospital that was also visited by our team in Gondar reported that hundreds are being treated. Hundreds of civilians. People that are injured by the fighting but they also found 14 cases of COVID-19 which again adds layers and layers of complexity to an already existing calamity.”

Growing Turmoil in the Horn of Africa

Wednesday also saw a meeting in Cairo between Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and his Eritrean counterpart Osman Saleh Mohammed as the mounting conflict continues to threaten the horn of Africa.

Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced a military offensive on November 4 against the regional government in Tigray in response to an attack by Tigrayan forces on federal troops.

Tigray is still under a national state of emergency, hundreds of people on both sides have lost their lives and at least 25,000 Ethiopians have fled to neighbouring Eastern Sudan.

Many authorities in the international community who caution against inter-ethnic genocide fear a possible all-out civil war — compounded by the already chaélengiong Covid-19 pandemic.

Following the escalation of the conflict between the Ethiopian government and Tigray — who fired rockets at both the Amhara region and Eritrea’s capital Asmara last week, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) shared reports on Wednesday from the ground in Ethiopia.

Patrick Youssef, the ICRC Africa Regional Director, outlined the current situation, “Another hospital that was also visited by our team in Gondar reported that hundreds are being treated. Hundreds of civilians. People that are injured by the fighting but they also found 14 cases of COVID-19 which again adds layers and layers of complexity to an already existing calamity.”

Growing Turmoil in the Horn of Africa

Wednesday also saw a meeting in Cairo between Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and his Eritrean counterpart Osman Saleh Mohammed as the mounting conflict continues to threaten the horn of Africa.

Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced a military offensive on November 4 against the regional government in Tigray in response to an attack by Tigrayan forces on federal troops.

Tigray is still under a national state of emergency, hundreds of people on both sides have lost their lives and at least 25,000 Ethiopians have fled to neighbouring Eastern Sudan.

Many authorities in the international community who caution against inter-ethnic genocide fear a possible all-out civil war — compounded by the already chaélengiong Covid-19 pandemic.

Related Articles

Africa News

Burkinabés urge calm as they await poll results

africanews– Burkinabés await results of Sunday’s presidential elections. Thousands of voters were...

Africa News

Burkina Faso election: Peace, security among key issues

Six years after heading into exile, the shadow of former president Blaise...

Africa News

Zambia Declared in Default of Debt Repayment to Creditors

The Debt Remains Unpaid After failing to make an interest payment on...

Africa News

Eyewitnesses say Nigerian forces opened fire on protesters

Demonstrators have taken part in daily protests across the country for nearly...